Year 2, Week 23, Day 2 Bible Reading Observations
Year 2, Week 23, Day 2
I have a brief observation for today’s reading of Daniel 2.
Today’s reading continues in the Book of Daniel. Daniel and some of his friends, and many others from Judah were taken into Babylonian captivity during the first wave of deportations somewhere around 605 BC. This was a wave of deportation that was about eight years before Nebuchadnezzar deported Ezekiel and the second wave of deportees in about 597 BC. Daniel’s prophetic ministry continued for about seventy years as his last known prophecy was given in about 536 BC (see Daniel 10:1). The episodes of Daniel and his friends fill Daniel 1-6. Daniel 7-12 are primarily visions that the LORD granted to Daniel in exile, visions that had both imminent and distant fulfillments. Daniel 2 unfolds about 603 BC as Nebuchadnezzar awoke disturbed by a dream that none of his men can interpret for him: “There is not a man on earth who can meet the king’s demand, for no great and powerful king has asked such a thing of any magician or enchanter or Chaldean. The thing that the king asks is difficult, and no one can show it to the king except the gods, whose dwelling is not with flesh” (Daniel 2:10b-11). As Nebuchadnezzar promises to kill all his men due to their inability to interpret his dream, Daniel steps forward: “Therefore Daniel went in to Arioch, whom the king had appointed to destroy the wise men of Babylon. He went and said thus to him: “Do not destroy the wise men of Babylon; bring me in before the king, and I will show the king the interpretation” (Daniel 2:24).
One of the things that struck me from today’s reading was how the response and actions of Daniel served as a powerful testimony (we will see this same pattern in tomorrow’s reading about his three friends). Daniel is very clear about his ability to interpret Nebuchadnezzar’s dream: “Daniel answered the king and said, “No wise men, enchanters, magicians, or astrologers can show to the king the mystery that the king has asked, but there is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries, and he has made known to King Nebuchadnezzar what will be in the latter days” (Daniel 2:27-28a). Before Daniel explains the dream and its meaning, he clarifies his ability once again: “But as for me, this mystery has been revealed to me, not because of any wisdom that I have more than all the living, but in order that the interpretation may be made known to the king, and that you may know the thoughts of your mind” (Daniel 2:30). After Daniel explains the dream and its significance to the King, he once again clarifies: "A great God has made known to the king what shall be after this. The dream is certain, and its interpretation sure” (Daniel 2:45b). Daniel states one more time how the king’s dream was interpreted: “A great God has made known to the king what shall be after this. The dream is certain, and its interpretation sure” (Daniel 2:47). From the outset to the very end, Daniel lays no claim of having the ability to interpret dreams; but he is emphatic that the LORD can.
Daniel’s faithful testimony of the LORD’s ability gave rise to Nebuchadnezzar’s confession: “The king answered and said to Daniel, “Truly, your God is God of gods and Lord of kings, and a revealer of mysteries, for you have been able to reveal this mystery” (Daniel 2:47). The nation Israel was to be a witness to the nations, through their faithfulness to the LORD: “You yourselves have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles’ wings and brought you to myself. Now therefore, if you will indeed obey my voice and keep my covenant, you shall be my treasured possession among all peoples, for all the earth is mine; and you shall be to me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation” (Exodus 19:4-6b). But Israel failed to live faithfully to the LORD and therefore they also failed to be a witness. However, what Israel as a nation failed to do, Daniel faithfully did. Through the life and testimony of Daniel, Nebuchadnezzar understands something about the greatness of the LORD. Even though Daniel is in exile, he was functioning in a manner that the entire nation should have. Not even exile will prevent the LORD from being seen as a great God.
Daniel’s faithfulness did not go unnoticed. Early in today’s reading, Daniel’s very life is at stake: “Because of this the king was angry and very furious, and commanded that all the wise men of Babylon be destroyed. So the decree went out, and the wise men were about to be killed; and they sought Daniel and his companions, to kill them” (Daniel 2:12-13). When none of the king’s men could interpret the dream, everyone’s life was at risk. However, today’s reading ends in an opposite direction. Not only was Daniel’s life spared, Daniel was promoted: “Then the king gave Daniel high honors and many great gifts, and made him ruler over the whole province of Babylon and chief prefect over all the wise men of Babylon” (Daniel 2:48). The LORD honored the faithfulness of Daniel, just as He would have honored the faithfulness of Israel—had they been faithful.
What struck you in today’s reading? What questions were prompted from today’s reading?
Pastor Joe